Gambling, in one form or another, has been a part of human civilization for millennia. It’s hard to say precisely when it began, but if you look at evidence such as dice from 2300 BC and the earliest card games in Europe around 800 AD, there is little doubt that gambling has been with us for quite some time.
For many people, casinos are associated with the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas in Nevada and Atlantic City in New Jersey. However, with the advent of legalized gaming in more and more states, these establishments have spread to local cities as well. While there are pros and cons to this, it is generally accepted that casino gambling does benefit the local economy in some way.
This is primarily because these establishments create jobs, especially in the more upscale areas that cater to the high roller crowd. In addition, they generate significant tax revenues that can be used for city services and infrastructure projects, or at the very least to help offset cuts in other categories.
Of course, there is also a darker side to this. As the movie Casino demonstrates, casinos can be breeding grounds for corruption and criminal activity. The movie stars Robert De Niro as gangster Don Rickles and Sharon Stone as Ginger McKenna, with Joe Pesci playing the role of Santoro, a ruthless mobster who is threatening to pull the plug on Ginger’s business. Despite the dark themes, this movie is still entertaining to watch and features some great performances by a stellar cast.